Coin-slot protector



N 'v- 9, 1929. A. M. CRAMER I 1,736,522

COIN SLOT PROTECTOR Filed June 50, 1927 ATTORNEY.

. I INVENTO R 17' 7W wb jawq Patented Nov. 19, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEE ALBERT M. CRAMER, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 'lO norm AND HARDART BAKING COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0E NEW JERSEY COIN-SLOT PROTECTOR Application filed June 30,

In the construction of vending machines, it is customary to provide a coin receiving slot, in a position accessible to the public, through which a coin of the proper denomination is inserted to render the vending mechanism effective to operate the machine.

When the machine is empty or when for any reason, it is desired to render the machine inoperative, the coin slot is covered by a plate or disc having insignia on it indicative of the machine being closed.

The coin slots in a machine of this character must be of accurate dimensions so that they will receive the size of coins with which the machine is adapted to be operated.

It has been found in practice with machines designed for the vending of food, that even though the coin slot has been covered with a sign indicating that the vending ma chine is not in commission, the intending purchaser will remove the cover of the coin slot, and will attempt to work the machine by inserting in-the coin slot a knife, fork or other implement, with consequent injury to the walls of the coin slot.

The object of this invention is to devise novel means for preventing the insertion of an implement through the coin slot when the machine is empty or for any reason out of commission.

WVith the above and other objects in view as will more clearly hereinafter appear, my invention comprehends novel protecting mechanism for coin slots of vending machines.

It further comprehends a novel construction and arrangement of a key controlled member slidably mounted and adapted to be moved into a position to cover the coin slot and thus prevent the insertion or introduction of anything through the coin slot.

It further comprehends a novel construction of a coin slot arrangement.

Other novel features of construction and advantage will hereinafter more clearly appear in the detailed description and the appended claims.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, I have shown in the accompanying draw- 59 ings typical embodiments of it, which, in

sert coin as shown at 5.

1927. Serial No. 202,683.

of a vending machine front, having a. coin slot in conjunction with which protecting mechanism embodying my invention is employed.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the construction seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a cam member seen in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the guide which retains the slot covering member in operative position.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings 1 designates the front plate of a vending machine of any desired or conventional construction.

2 designates a card holder which is adapted to receive a card having indicia on it indicative of the articles which are to be vended' in the machine.

3 designates a disc having indicated thereon instructions for inserting the coin, such as for example, the arrow 4; and the words In- The arrow points towards a coin slot member 6 having a coin slot 7 therethrough, which, as illustrated, is

diagonally disposed. This member 6 is usually formed by a stamping operation from a metal sheet and is provided with the depressed seat 8 and the annular rim 9 so that a space is provided to insert a disc having on it indicia of the fact that the machine is out of commission or is not in operation. Ordinarily this consists of a disc made of paper or other material having thereon closed which indicates to the public that the machine is not to be operated.

'The coin slot containing member 6 is provided with apertures 10 through which pass fastening devices 11 which in practice are ordinarily secured to the coin chute.

It has been found in the operation of machines of this character that, even though a disc is inserted in the coin receiving member 6 to indicate that the machine is closed, intending purchasers or unauthorized persons will remove the disc and try to operate the machine by inserting coins through the coin slot.

This is not a particular disadvantage since the coins inserted into the machine will be returned to the intending purchaser if the machine is not set for operation. The disadvantage arises in that the intending purchaser or unauthorized person, frequently takes a knife or fork and inserts it through the coin slot 7 and bends the walls of the coin slot so that the coin receiving member 6 is destroyed or injured to such extent that it is necessary to make frequent replacements of this coin receiving member 6, as it is essential in devices of this character that the coin receiving slot shall be of accurate dimensions so that it will receive the coin of a size with which the machine is designed to operate.

12 designates a guide plate which is depressed as at 13, in order to form a space to receive a locking plate 1 l so that when the plate 12 is secured to the rear of the front plate 1, by suitable fastening devices, not shown, but which will be clearly understood, such as for example, screws, the locking plate 14 will be slidably mounted. This locking plate is provided with a substantially rectangularly shaped aperture 15 therethrough which is provided with the diagonally disposed walls 16 at its corners.

lVithin this opening 15 is positioned a cam 17 having a post 18 rising from it near one end, and this post is provided with a polygonally shaped opening 19 adapted to receive a key of corresponding shape in cross section, the cons ruction of which will be apparent, so that it has not been deemed necessary to illustrate the key.

This post 18 extends through an opening 20 in the front plate 1 so that from the front of the machine an authorized person can insert a key to operate the cam member 17 and thereby the locking member 14:. This locking member 14: has its front face diagonal or in clined as indicated at 21 so that it is normally disposed in parallel relation with the walls of the coin receiving slot 7.

The disc 3 is secured in position, as illustrated, by means of a bridge piece 22 through which passes a screw 23 which is in threaded engagement with the rear wall of the front plate 1 so that said disc is secured in position from the rear of the machine.

When the machine is not in a condition to be operated, as for example, when it is empty or when it is out of commission for cleaning or repairing, the attendant inserts a key through the opening 20 in the plate 1 into the key receiving opening 19, and turns the key in a direction to cause the locking member formed by the locking plate 14 to move into its locked position, at which time it covers the coin receiving slot 7 so that not only can a coin not be inserted into the machine, but an implement such as a knife or fork cannot be inserted into the coin receiving slot 7 to deform or injure its walls.

When it is desired to operate the machine, the key is inserted in the opening of the cam 17 and turned in a reverse direction so that the locking member is moved into its unlocked position.

It has been found in practice that by the use of my present invention, the life of the portion of the vending machine which contains the coin receiving slot is materially increased since the deformation and destruction which has herebefore been present in the commercial use of vending machines has been overcome/ It Will be noted that in accordance with my present invention the coin slot forming member is provided with a depressed seat in which the coin slot is located. This seat extends substantially through the wall or front plate of the vending machine casing so that the slot protector, which is in the form of a plate, will slide in close proximity thereto. The cam which is provided to actuate the slot protector, has a key receiving portion which extends through the front wall of the machine, so that the protector can be locked or unlocked exteriorly of the machine.

For the purpose of illustration only, I have shown the slot protector as slidably mounted in the guide member carried by the rear face of a wall of the vending machine, but it Will be apparent that this slot protector can be movably mounted in any desired manner so long as it is movable to cover and uncover the coin receiving slot.

When the slot protector is in its locked position it covers the rear face of the coin receiving slot 7 so that it is impossible for anyone to insert an implement through such coin slot.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and'desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A vending machine, having a front wall provided with an inclined coin receiving opening, a guide plate fixed to said wall and having its central portion depressed, a plate slidable between said depressed portion and said wall and having its forward end inclined corresponding to the inclination of said coin receiving opening and provided with an opening, and a cam member in said plate opening and provided with a lug extending through said wall, said lug having a poly onally shaped opening in it to receive a key.

2. In a vending machine, having a front Wall provided with a coin receiving slot, a locking plate slidable on said wall to cover said slot and provided with substantially a rectangularly shaped opening, a cam in said opening and having a lug projecting through the front Wall of the vending machine, said lug having a polygonally shaped opening to receive an operating key.

ALBERT M. ORAMER. 

